Today is Tuesday, December 19, 2023. There’s a big difference between listening to a song and hearing what it’s saying. The first gets you to enjoy the beat and the melody line, but it’s when you truly hear the words of the message that you can discern if it is something good or bad. Today’s lesson teaches us that our choices have much to do with our ears and His heart. Read on …
Today's Reading:
John 5,6
Scripture
“Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing … By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but Him who sent me.” (John 5:19,30)
Observation
This section of John (Chapters 5-6) is filled with leadership lessons and instructions about how to make wise decisions. Jesus is seen consistently making wise decisions, but that might not be because they were automatic.
It was because He was attentive. He kept His ears close to the heart of the Father.
Wise responses don’t come from A.I. They are derived from D.I. … Divine Intimacy. Jesus said that His judgments and decisions came only from what He saw and heard that came from the Father’s heart.
Application
Our choices determine our lives; we make so many of them daily! Some researchers tell us that we make over 3,000 choices daily. Some are benign, like what socks to wear, and others are very important, such as sticking with a commitment, engaging in daily devotions, navigating marriage, shaping our attitude, managing relationships, making financial decisions, and handling time.
All these decisions will increase in quality if I hear the Father’s voice and understand His heart on a daily basis. It deposits wisdom into my everyday life decisions, even when unexpected situations arise out of left field!
I must never see my spiritual nearness to Jesus as an "aside" or something "optional." It is as essential as breath to my lungs or water for my thirst. My future and the quality of my relationships all depend on this. The closer I walk with Him in spirit and truth, the more His wisdom seeps into my words and actions.
Prayer
Father, keep me close.
So many decisions need to be made each day that affect not only me but many others. And one of the best ways to serve others is by making wise decisions that come from listening and watching You!
Father, keep me close.
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